Posted on 07/13/2023 8:23:51 PM PDT by SeekAndFind
p>The phrase “small town America” often conjures up images of white picket fences, well-trimmed lawns, and big houses. But how safe is modern-day suburbia in America?
Some of the smallest places in the country can actually be among the most dangerous. Take for example Bessemer, Alabama, with a population of around 26,000 and a violent crime rate of 33.1 per every 1,000 residents.
That said, there are many small cities that are true havens for families across the United States. Visual Capitalist's Avery Koop uses this map to showcase the safest cities in the U.S., using FBI data and Census Bureau populations compiled by NeighborhoodScout in 2023.
Note: The source only considered cities with a population of 25,000 or higher. This report is based on total index crimes reported in each city, which includes arson, burglary, larceny-theft, motor vehicle theft, murder, rape, armed robbery, and aggravated assault.
40% of the cities in the ranking are located in Northeastern states, which are typically rated the “safest” based on FBI data.
Here’s a closer look at the Top 10:
One quarter of the safest cities are located in Massachusetts, with the vast majority clustered around Boston.
The median population of the cities and towns in the top 100 is just 32,000, and few widely-recognized cities make the list. Carmel, Indiana (#60) is the only city with a population above 100,000 to make the rankings. This would seem to follow the logic that bigger cities are more dangerous, but our map covering the most dangerous cities in America shows that many small cities were just as dangerous, and some even more.
Regardless, small towns can truly be idyllic. For example, a person’s chance of falling victim to crime in Ridgefield, Connecticut, the safest ranked city in the U.S., is just 1-in-510. That’s an overall rate of fewer than two incidents of crime per every 1,000 residents.
One surprising observation from the data is that many of the safest U.S. cities are in very close proximity to some of the most dangerous.
One example that illustrates this is Detroit, which ranks as the sixth most dangerous city in America. Despite this, as shown on the map above, there are four communities nearby that have some of the lowest crime rates in America.
In other words, America’s metro areas contain much contrast, and these insights provide valuable information for individuals and families seeking secure places to live across the country.
RE: I don’t hear much about violent crime in Consitutional carry NH.
Merrimack, NH is on the list of safest cities. Here’s a profile from Wikipedia:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Merrimack,_New_Hampshire
[EXCERPT]
Merrimack is a town in Hillsborough County, New Hampshire, United States. The population was 26,632 as of the 2020 census.
* The racial makeup of the town was 95.0% white, 0.8% African American, 0.2% Native American, 2.0% Asian, <0.1% Native Hawaiian or Pacific Islander, 0.5% some other race, and 1.6% from two or more races. 2.1% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race.
* Of the 9,503 households, 36.7% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 62.6% were headed by married couples living together, 8.5% had a female householder with no husband present, and 24.8% were non-families. 18.8% of all households were made up of individuals, and 5.7% were someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.67, and the average family size was 3.06
* For the period 2011–2015, the estimated median annual income for a household was $90,708, and the median income for a family was $101,786. Male full-time workers had a median income of $69,937 versus $50,184 for females. The per capita income for the town was $39,695. 4.0% of the population and 2.3% of families were below the poverty line. 4.7% of the population under the age of 18 and 4.4% of those 65 or older were living in poverty
Detroit has some of the nicest and safest suburban communities in the country. It’s a shame Detroit drags down the reputation of the whole area. Take out Detroit and Michigan is basically a southern state.
The image you posted did not render on my browser.
In California, just about any community of any size can incorporate as a city if it so chooses. The City of Industry, which sprawls along San Jose Creek north of Whittier has a population of less than 300 but contains about 3,000 businesses. Vernon, just east of Los Angeles, has a similar-sized population but, like Industry, is mostly industrial.
I’ve heard stories about rural NH and neighborly response to someone unknown at a neighbor’s house.
There’s a reason NH is so safe.
do we dare post the demographics of these safe towns, or would that be racist?
I live in Salado, Texas with a very low crime rate. I have lived here for 25 years and with not one murder or really very serious violent crime. I actually live 3 miles West of Salado in a rural area on lots of many acres for houses. We all know that despite the best efforts of the cops they are many minutes away. My area is armed to the teeth by honest citizens. We have not major crime in my area. In my area are 5 private firing ranges one of which is mine. All in one mile of my home. It gives me comfort. It gives bad guys fear.
We don’t lock our doors, and we don’t lock our cars anywhere in town. Since my city isn’t on the list, I better keep my mouth shut regarding where I live, lest I be overrun with an influx of new residents.
We probably also have a high percentage of gun-toting rednecks. That might have something to do with our low crime rate.
Only 19 cities were west of the Mississippi, FFS!
I was wondering why my little town wasn’t on the list. We’re only around 12,000. Of course, there’s crime everywhere, but I’ve never felt safer anywhere than I do here.
The answer is simple, go look at the Demographics.
OK, now cross reference that with how “diverse” these places are.
How much does anybody wanna bet they will notice a startling lack of diversity in all 20 of these?
I just looked up Bessemer, AL, and the answer is indeed demographics.
That’s odd...they left out Chicago and New York!
I suspect that demographics play a role.
When BLM was having all their *peaceful protests* a few years ago, they tried one in Manchester. They were escorted by the police and a large crowd of open carrying armed citizens.
At the end of the *parade*, one of the BLM tried to start a fire and vandalism and was stopped cold. There were never any other incidents with that group. THey learned quick enough that that kind of crap was NOT going to fly in NH.
IMO, all the local protests in cities across the country were the BLM testing the waters to see where they could get away with looting, burning, assault, and other forms of anarchy. THey only continued in it where they were allowed to by the local authorities.
Safe cities = No Pygmy cannibals!
Safety in cities is inversely proportional to the Black population
Political demographic analysis
I’ll bet a lot of college towns are safe, except during football and basketball season when athletes are in town.
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